4 Ways You Can Strengthen the Relationship with Your Children
Whilst much is made of divorce rates and marriage breakdowns, far less attention is given to the bonds between parents and children. If they are established from an early age, they can flourish for a lifetime. If the connections are poor, both sides ultimately lose out.
There are many ways that parents can strengthen their relationships with their kids, whether or not there are existing issues. Let’s take a look at four of them together right now.
- Have Fun Together
Whilst life can be a serious business, our kids need to experience the lighter side too. Having a sense of humour is a skill that can enable us to not take ourselves or our lives too seriously. When families learn to laugh together, it can be a great bonding experience. After all, parents want to be friends as well as authority figures.
One way to have fun together is through playing games. Choose ones that will appeal to your children and keep them engaged. Whether it’s board games or sports, it’s important to be on their level if you are going to connect. Whilst you may not want to run around outside playing games, the payoff could make it all worthwhile. When the whole family plays together, your kids can learn valuable team working skills that will benefit them in later life.
There are many websites designed to help people improve their family connections. A visit to www.vertellis.com reveals that parents are looking for games to help build their relationships with their kids. They also want to read helpful articles on building connections between families, friends, and partners. Folk is also wanting to learn daily affirmations to boost their self-love and self-confidence.
- Involve Them
If you are doing woodwork in your tool shed or are making a cake, it may be inconvenient to involve your child. It will slow you down and you’ll have to keep explaining everything. Having said that, kids need to be involved in the lives of their parents, and that includes them joining you in your daily activities.
Imagine how your child will feel if you keep saying, ‘You can’t do that,’ or ‘You mustn’t touch that.’ By letting them have a go they feel empowered, and their self-confidence is boosted. Ask them for their opinions and ideas on what you are doing. Even when they are young, they have more to offer than you realise.
Don’t be afraid to give small housekeeping tasks to your children. It will make your life easier, and they’ll feel like they belong and they’re part of a team.
- Listen To Them
Whether it’s convenient or not, always be there when your child needs you. Put your phone down and be present in that moment, ready for some one-on-one time. When your child talks about something that’s concerning them, don’t leap in before they have finished. Don’t explode, don’t judge, don’t reject them, or be controlling. They may simply want to talk rather than to receive a solution.
If you echo back to them what you think they said, it can ensure you heard correctly. Ask open-ended questions to help your child draw out their deepest feelings and opinions. The more they open up, the more intimate and trusting your relationship will become.
- Express Your Love Daily
In the business world, people often hear nothing from their boss unless they do something wrong. It’s sad to live in an environment that provides little encouragement. Whether your child looks like it or not, they are in need of daily affirmation and physical affection. Make your love an unconditional thing. If you need to discipline your child don’t say, ‘I don’t love you when you do this.’ Say, ‘I love you, but it makes me sad when you do this.’
Love can be costly, and love can be spelled T.I.M.E. You may feel at your most exhausted when it’s your child’s bedtime. You may be desperate to put them to bed and to relax downstairs in front of the television. Ironically, this is one of the key times in the day for bonding. Let them say how their day has been and read them a short story if required. Have a snuggle together while you do it.
Whilst friends can come and go, our families are designed to last for a lifetime. When parents learn to love their children sacrificially, it pays dividends in the years that follow. When you become elderly, they may be the ones who ensure you have all you need.